Indian and Pacific Ocean

Australia has several options for residency through investment: options. 

The most popular would be the Investor Visa (subclass 891) which allows a person who has held a designated investment of AUD 1.5 million for 4 years to live in Australia permanently. Applicants must hold an Investor (Provisional) (subclass 188) visa, have lived in Australia for at least two years in the past of the four years immediately before applying. The two-year period in Australia does not need to be continuous, but applicants must show a realistic commitment to continue a business or investment activity in Australia and must be nominated by a state or territory government. The Premium Investor Visa is aimed at those who can invest A$15 million in a complying investment for one year and want to maintain business and investment activity in Australia. The Significant Investor visa requires an investment of A$5 million for four years and does not require a points test, there is no age limit or English language requirement. The investment can be in one or more of Commonwealth, State or Territory government bonds, Australian Securities and Investment Commission regulated Managed Funds, or a direct investment in Australian private companies.



Mauritius is an Indian Ocean island with a tropical climate, excellent beaches, a stable democracy, a good quality of life, a favourable investment environment and low taxes. Mauritius has opened its property market to foreigners by way of controlled property development schemes, including one for retirees. It offers expats the chance to obtain residency and citizenship through an investment of US$500,000 in an approved resort scheme or in a qualifying business activity. Investors can obtain citizenship and passport of Mauritius after approximately five years of residence in the country.

Seychelles is a tropical island group in the Indian Ocean with with pristine beaches, a thriving tourism industry and is a popular destination for retirees and expats. Foreigners who invest in real estate such as villas, houses and apartments automatically qualify for a residence permit in Seychelles conditional on approval from the government. The property must be used only for residential benefit of the buyer and his family and worth a minimum of US$77,000. There are two permanent resident options available for business investors: (1) Invest US$1 million or more in a business physically located in Seychelles and reside in Seychelles for at least one year. A residency permit is valid for five years after which it can be renewed; (2) Invest at least US$1 million and maintain at least five years of business association as a result of the investment - there is no residency requirement then. 

The South Pacific island of Vanuatu has re-launched its CBI programme in March 2017. It is called the Capital Investment Immigration Plan and offers a "honorary citizenship" to foreign investors against one time contribution to a government fund. A single applicant has to contribute $200,000 and a family of four with minor children about $240,000. Potential citizens don't have to live in Vanuatu or even visit the country to qualify. Vanuatu is a member of the Commonwealth and its citizenship provides investors with visa-free travel to 113 countries, including the UK and Schengen states. It also has no capital gains or income taxes. Read more on the Government of Vanuatu's website https://vancitizenship.gov.vu/

New Zealand has two investor residency categories, the Investor Visa and the Investor Plus

visa. Both require an investment and other qualifications, while the investor’s family members can be included in the main application. The Investor Visa (Investor 2 Category) requires a minimum of NZ$3 million investment over a four-year period. The Investor Plus Visa (Investor 1 Category) requires an investment of $NZ10 million. 

Applicants will also have to prove that they posses settlement funds or assets of at least NZ$1 million, be under the age of 65, speak adequate English, have at least three years’ business experience and have no criminal record.